Plan created by Virginia, that was accepted by most of the larger states, that called for a house to be based on population. Wanted a strong central government.
(Unit I)

The New Jersey Plan

Plan created by New Jersey, that was favored by most small states, that called for a house to have two people from each state represent the house. Wanted a weak central government.
(Unit I)

The Great Compromise

Compromise reached that called for two houses; a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate with two people from each state elected by state legislatures.
(Unit I)

Federalism

The belief that the federal, state and local governments should work together.
(Unit I)

Competitive Federalism

The new federalism that stresses the downsizing of the federal gov and more reliance on revenue sharing and grants. Think Nixon! (Unit I)

Cooperative Federalism/ Marble Cake Federalism

Characterized by the federal gov becoming more intrusive in what were traditionally state powers. Think New Deal! (Unit I)

Creative Federalism

Characterized by the Great Sociey programs which placed a major responsibilty on federally funded programs. (Unit I)

Dual Federalism/ Layer Cake Federalism

Federalism characterized by a national gov exercising its power independently from state governments. (Unit I)

Compromises About Slavery

The 3/5ths Compromise- each slave would be counted as 3/5ths of a person to add to the southern population Slave trade would not be outlawed until 1808 If a slave escaped to a free state and was caught, the slave would be returned.
(Unit I)

Anit-federalists

People like Jefferson who felt that a Consitution was not necessary because they feared a powerful central gov. that would take away power from the states. Aka States Righters.
(Unit I)

Checks and Balances on the President

Congress checks the President as follows:

Vetoing a bill the president wants

Passing a law vetoed by the president

Impeachment

Refusing to elect an appointtee (Senate only)

Refusing to ratify a treaty the President has signed (Senate Only)

The Courts check the President by declaring actions unconsitutional (Unit I)

Checks and Balances on the Federal Courts

Congress checks the Federal Courts as follows:

Changing the number and jurisdiction of lower courts

Impeach a judge from office

Refusing to approve a person nominated to be a judge (Senate only)

The President checks the courts by nominating judges
(Unit I)

Checks and Balances on Congress

The President checks Congress by vetoing a bill it has passed.
The Courts check Congress by declaring a law unconsitutional (judical review)
(Unit I)

How to Amend the Constitution

Allowed by Article V of the Constitution. First an amendment is proposed and has 7 years to go through the process. 2/3rds of both houses must approve the bill. If its passed then its ratified. 3/4ths of the state legislatures must approve and then its added.
(Unit I)

Federalist Paper #10

Written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. Express the need of a strong government (republic) and that the fear of factions was inevitable (the problem would be solved by checks and balances).
(Unit I)

The Elastic Clause

Can be found in Article I, Section 8 (Powers of Congress). States that Congress can pass any law that they see as "necessary and proper", first tested out in McCulloch vs Maryland.
(Unit I)

Commerce Clause

Found in Article I Section 8 (powers of Congress) Clause 3 of the Constitution giving Congress the authority to regulate interstate commerce and commerce with foreign countries.
(Unit I)

Spending Clause

Found in Article I Section 8 (powers of Congress) Clause 1 that allows Congress to tax and spend money.
(Unit I)

Pluralist Theory

Competition among all affect interests; shapes public policy. Many people are responsible for democracy.
(Unit I)

Block Grant

Large sum of money given to the states to spend as they please
(Unit I)

Categorial Grants

Money given to states for a specific purpose (airport).
(Unit I)

Project Grants

Money for a specific project (factory, dam)
(Unit I)

Mandate

Laws that states must obey to get the money that is pomised by doing so. In turn, the states are fined if they do not abide by them.
(Unit I)

Unfunded Mandates

Those regulations passed by Congress or issued by regulatory agencies to the states without federal funds to support them.
(Unit I)

Devolution

The concept of the Federal gov. going back to how things once were. This means that the gov. would take a back seat and cut off the states so everything is on the states and the gov. would only step in if extremely necessary. (Think Reagan!)
(Unit I)

Concurrent Powers

Shared powers...

Elections

Collect and levy taxes

Establish Courts

(Unit I)

Enumerated/ Expressed Powers

Stated in the Constitution...

Tax

Regulate Commerce (interstate)

Declare War

Coin Money

(Unit I)

Reserved Powers

State powers...

10th Amendment

Regulate intrastate commerce

Establish public schools

Pass license requirements

(Unit I)

Implied Powers

Not directly stated but implied...like the necessary and proper clause
(Unit I)

Selecting an amount from a population where everyone has an equal chance of being picked so there is a good variety of people in a survey so it can be more accurate.
(Unit II)

Sampling Error

A major problem with polling. Basically the difference between the results of a random sample. Occurs because some people don't know who or what they are voting for or a person votes for another.
(Unit II)

Exit Poll

A poll taken right after a vote has been cast. Tend to be the most accurate because people see no point in lying when they've just casted the vote.
(Unit II)

Focus Group

Technique used by pollsters to determine how a cross section of voters feels about a particular topic.
(Unit II)

Forms of Political Participation

Voting

Joining civic associations

Protesting

Supporting social movements

Writing to legislation

(Unit II)

Reasons for Lack of Political Participation

Apathy

Ballot fatigue

People don't know how

Same day voting

(Unit II)

Caucus

Meeting of party regulars that ask questions, discuss qualifications regarding a candidate, and voting on candidates.
(Unit II)

Open Primary

Primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place.
(Unit II)

Closed Primary

Primary election in which voting is limited to already registered party members.
(Unit II)

Blanket Primary

Primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates from both parties.
(Unit II)